Pest Control

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Maintaining proper pest control is vital to producing quality crop yields, and there are moreover multiple methods of controlling pest populations with varying environmental implications. Accordingly, integrated pest management (IPM) considers strategies that aim to reduce pest populations in a safe and economical manner. 

These strategies involve the use of pesticides, in tandem with various cultural agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, timing of planting and harvesting, sanitation, and 'natural enemies'. It is key to note that while natural pest control can arise from both living and non-living factors without human involvement, such as weather, or fungi that control a particular pest biological pest control involves human influence, including the use of beneficial insects that assist in controlling pest populations. 

Biological pest control moreover accounts for plant resistance and the use of pesticides. Biological control agents typically involve predators, parasites, and pathogens. These each act with the capacity to reduce, delay, or prevent infestations. Populations of insects that are beneficial to crop wellbeing can be increased by conservation, augmentation, and importation. 

Conservation requires a change in agricultural practices that enables the wellbeing of beneficial species, such as the moderation of pesticides that might harm species that assist in pest control.

Augmentation involves adding 'natural enemies' to the area where crops are grown. They can be bought or reared, and assist in increasing the deaths within these pest populations. 

Importation considers that pest infestations arise as non-native invasive species are introduced to the area. As such, 'natural enemies' can be imported and carefully introduced into these areas as a form of pest control. Methods involving importation must be meticulously monitored to ensure that their introduction does not cause further issues.

In accordance with this, it is pivotal that beneficial insects are protected and conserved. This might be achieved by:

• Increasing one's awareness and education about pests and other organisms.

• Gaining skills in identifying and distinguishing beneficial insects. 

• Minimizing the application of insecticides and similar substances. 

• Using selective insecticides and other mechanisms of pest control that target harmful species.

• Maintaining ground cover and the physical environment of crops. 

• Providing pollen, nectar, and other artificial sources of sustenance for beneficial organisms. 

Certain bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms function as forms of natural pest control, such as insect-specific viruses that can assist in controlling populations of destructive caterpillars. While particular pathogens have been mass-produced and packaged, most of these strategies have not been readily formulated and distributed as effective microbial insecticides.

If you have any tips or suggestions surrounding pest control, please feel free to share them with us!